News
Speaking With The Dead
A new study published in OMEGA—Journal of Death and Dying, investigates the perceived interactions with the deceased (ADCs), “a phenomenon reported across societies, with 30–34% of individuals likely experiencing at least one ADC in their lifetime,” according to the research.
Interestingly, 40% of the participants to the study said their experiences accelerated their recovery, and 42.9% confirmed that the experiences significantly influenced their grieving process.
In total, 61% of the respondents said they hoped for continued contact; the experiences did not make their pain worse. Regarding grief-related sadness, 41% reported no change due to the ADCs, while 40% expressed less sadness. Forty-seven percent said that ADCs eased acceptance of their loss.
The data suggests that ADCs may play a therapeutic role in grief and healing, despite differing effects on sadness.
The researchers write, “This study underscores the ADCs’ possible positive influence on bereaved partners, advocating for a deeper understanding of this phenomenon in the grieving process.”
Interestingly, 40% of the participants to the study said their experiences accelerated their recovery, and 42.9% confirmed that the experiences significantly influenced their grieving process.
In total, 61% of the respondents said they hoped for continued contact; the experiences did not make their pain worse. Regarding grief-related sadness, 41% reported no change due to the ADCs, while 40% expressed less sadness. Forty-seven percent said that ADCs eased acceptance of their loss.
The data suggests that ADCs may play a therapeutic role in grief and healing, despite differing effects on sadness.
The researchers write, “This study underscores the ADCs’ possible positive influence on bereaved partners, advocating for a deeper understanding of this phenomenon in the grieving process.”